How to Become a Video Game Artist: The Insider's Guide to Landing a Job in the Gaming World

So I am actually not looking to try to break into the game industry as an artist. Why did I read this book? Well, I am very much interested at upping my game when it comes to real-time graphics and content creation as a hobby. Computer graphics are just fascinating to me, and the best engine and shaders in the world will not save a shabby piece of art. This book seemed like a good way to get into the artist mindset. To top things off, the sticker-price was a palpable $12 dollars and the cover art looked great (important when taking art direction). Basically what the book amounts to is a series of chapters, each one describing a particular game art profession. Some of the jobs detailed include: concept, environment, character, ui, and marketing artists. Every chapter includes a job description, explanation of the process or workflow, example images, an artist profile, and finally a mock “help wanted” ad that could be for the position. The format is informative, and I think would be very helpful for a student looking to get into the industry as an artist. Certainly, you don’t have to be a student to find worth in this book and I personally feel it is a great choice if you are at all interested in video game art. The author, Sam R. Kennedy, is a game artist himself and shares a some of his (quite impressive) work within these pages. Nicely, the photos on the Kindle e-book were in color. This is quite important, and in my research I did stumble upon some game art instruction books from people with questionable artistic ability. Of course, you don’t need to be da Vinci to make a 3d model (especially not when working from good photos or concept art) but I can’t help but wonder what I’m doing taking advice from an amateur. That was not the case with this text. Kennedy is a veteran and has worked at Ubisoft on Tom Clancy games and the like. I felt pretty comfortable accepting his opinions. All in all, I was happy with the purchase and I’m glad to have the book in my collection. If it helps me (even a little bit) in improving my art that’s a net positive. In any case, it was inspiring and that’s enough for me.

I only have recently become interested in Video Games. I'm truly enjoying this read which is taking me behind the scenes of a totally new world. The book's format is excellent. Each chapter covers a particular expertise needed to build a video game starting with a job description, showing what sort of work is done at each stage of development, explaining the tools used, explaining jargon, all this with lots of excellent illustrations. Then the chapter closes with a wanted ad that gives you an idea of education and skills you will have to bring to the job. Through this book I have acquired a new respect for the people in this industry and I promise I will never again think of them as "dudes wasting their talent and time drawing gore for a living". Although....

Pros: This book comes with a lot of good information in an organized fashion. Cons: Some of the methods described in the book are outdated. Most of the information in this book is available online for free.

Very good book. Helpful for beginners. 7/10

This book might sound like many other books that promise too much. I'll admit I was skeptical and didn’t have high hopes going in. not it was surprisingly refreshing. Theres was a lot of info in this book. and it really sheds light into the gaming industry and how to break in. easy to follow to. this book really does a good job of breaking things down. the way it breaks down each job describing what it is how its down. and what kind of training is needed. ending each chapter with the background of working professional and then what a want ad for this job would look like. Even if you just know what one job you want to get into it pays to know the other jobs and how they all work together. So it’s not like you’ll read the one chapter that pertains to whatever job your interested in and throw the book away. Really if you have questions or thinking about going to school. I suggest reading this book. You'll save your self a lot of time.

A good eye opener and planning book. Best advice is to never ever give up. That's not in the book but something you must have in your heart. This book is only good to enlighten and show road map but the spirit and guts must come from you.

Interesting book. Only skimmed so far, but even from that little bit, I'm catching some nice ideas/lessons/etc. It's nice to have these kinda resource all in one book. Not an end all be all, but very helpful for putting things into perspective.

I want to be an artist for the video game industry in the future, so I thought it wouldn't hurt to buy a book by someone who has been in it. It's helped me gain a new perspective on what I should be doing to get where I want to be.

As someone aspiring to be within this field I was given a lot of insight of what to expect. It doesn't fall into one field of the game industry yet rather a general overall which i think has its validity. I am glad I purchased it but the level of depth is more so of an introductory

I bought this book bcs it was recommended by my university. I thought it would be good to know more abt the industry I'd like to work in in a few years, how the different jobs work and what options I have. I personally really like the style of the book and the representation of the different career options in general. As a beginner I can get a great look into the work of the different artists. As a student I can totally recommend it to other students who want to work in the industry later as well.

This book isn’t for me and my style. But it is well written, very thorough, and covers everything you need for a career in video games. I thought I may like it but I didn’t but that’s a criticism of me and my interests rather than the author’s work which clearly is well written and designed.

Good quality, fast shipping

Das Buch an sich ist sehr gut geschrieben und bietet einen einigermaßen aktuellen Eindruck in die Industrie. Wer mit dem Gedanken spielt in der Branche zu arbeiten sollte die 15€ ruhig investieren. 5 von 5.